Near collision on Waitemata

One of the 360 Discovery ferries. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A complaint about a near-collision between a passenger ferry and fishing boat is likely to lead to tighter rules on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour.

Claims a 360 Discovery boat operated by Fullers, and carrying about 100 people, passed within 10m of a small commercial fishing vessel have prompted a review.

The fishing boat captain complained about the actions of the ferry as it travelled between Birkenhead Wharf and Auckland at 7.40am on May 17. He said the ferry was too close when it overtook his vessel and was travelling too fast for the foggy conditions - 17 knots.

Auckland Harbourmaster Jim Dilley is working with Fullers and 360 Discovery to strengthen the guidelines regulating ferries in fog.

Changes include setting fixed lanes for ferries to minimise contact with other boats and developing firm rules on speed when visibility is poor.

Dilley also wants ferry masters to broadcast by radio their position at certain places in the harbour.

Maritime New Zealand will not take any action against the ferry skipper because the fishing vessel did not have suitable positioning software.

"Because they didn't have an AIS [Automatic Identification System] we didn't have conclusive evidence the ferry had overtaken the boat in close quarters," said spokeswoman Sophie Hazelhurst.

"Instead we're treating it as a bit of a wake-up call."

Ian Greenslade, spokesman for Suiter Holdings, which owns 360 Discovery and Fullers, said a ferry would travel between Birkenhead and Auckland at 20 knots in good visibility.

He would not be drawn on whether 17 knots was a dangerous speed in poor visibility. "The master is in charge on the boat and making the relevant calls. Seventeen knots may or may not have been too fast."

Dilley said under existing bylaws, boats must travel slow enough to stop within the visible distance in front of them. Ferry masters and passengers have to accept fog brings delays, he said.

"Schedules are irrelevant in foggy conditions. What we're saying to the operators is 'don't worry about the schedule, do what's safe'."

Five years ago a Fullers Quickcat bound for Waiheke collided with a fishing boat, killing Moria Newman, 74.

The captain pleaded guilty to two Maritime Transport Act charges and was banned from skippering a vessel for three months and ordered to pay $16,000.

The collision was not in foggy conditions.


celeste.anstiss@hos.co.nz